Apparently because I have posted recently a few of you think I am new to
this board.
I'm not. I have been lurking in the wings stealing what wisdom I can for
several years.

Maybe a short introduction is in order...

I was raised in Anchorage, Alaska. My father put a spin rod and bobber in my
hand at age 5-6 and then a friend of his gave me my first flyrod,( a big,
heavy, awkward fiberglass job with a cheap Mitchell reel), at age 11. I have
never looked back.

I have moved to places just to be able to learn and fish new water. Hell, I
dated a girl once just because she had a home near the Clearwater, ( a
trophy Grayling fishery), and broke up with her at the end of summer because
the fishing dropped off.

For awhile I was a dry fly elitist. I have tempered that opinion somewhat.
Years of counseling finally paid off. I no longer have the urge to pee on
guys that cast nymphs.

At one point I worked for Jim Barchi and Scott Rods when they were still at
the end of the road in Berkeley, CA. (George Bush Sr. has a rod that I
helped build.)
I started out wrapping guides and moved
up to the coating room before leaving. While there I was able to build quite
a nice collection of Scott Rods and Gunnison reals. (they had a nice trade
agreement).

After returning to Alaska I joined a friend in managing a rod shop that used
to be located up at Lake Otis & Tudor. I also taught beginning flyfishing
for women for a year or two. Used to hold classes at Cheney lake on Baxter
Road.

Now I am living in Ayer, MA. I am the Parks and Rec. Commissioner here.
Most of my free time is spent sending poppers to Bass who have never
experienced a fly.

My Next Trip??? ...Going to Alaska for 12 days in August.

My Most Memorable Fishing Experience??? ...I have two,
(1) Last summer I was able to take my girlfriends 7 year old boy out for his
first time fishing and watch him catch his first fish. My time in the Navy
and various volunteer things I've done don't compare. THAT was my proudest
moment.
(2)While float tubing a small lake in the Matanuska Valley some years ago I
watched an eagle swoop down out of a tree and pluck a rainbow out of the
water less than 20 ft. from where I was sitting.

So, I am...and shall remain....
--
Ric Hamel
A poor$, poor$ fishing freak living in the GWN